A NATIONAL homeless charity has warned police in Huddersfield not to demonise beggars.

Crisis issued the plea after Huddersfield South Neighbourhood Policing Team launched a new ‘three strikes’ policy for beggars in the town centre.

As reported yesterday, people found begging are first given a verbal warning, followed by a letter before being arrested if they are caught a third time.

Officers say the three-strikes policy should help cut down on anti-social behaviour and other problems related to begging.

Leslie Morphy, chief executive of charity Crisis, said her organisation did not support begging.

But she added that punishing beggars was not the answer.

“Crisis does not advocate begging,” she said.

“It is damaging and humiliating to those who beg, trapping them in a cycle of poverty.

“People who beg are among the most vulnerable people in our society.

“The majority are homeless, all are vulnerable.

“Begging is a sign of much deeper-rooted problems – most people who beg are or have been rough sleepers and may have mental health or addiction problems.

“We need to see better support services for homeless people in order to offer long-term solutions to the problems these people face.

“Organisations who demonise begging, be they Government or well-intentioned agencies, may be risking further isolation of people in vulnerable situation, minimising opportunities for them to be brought back into society.

“People who have addiction problems will inevitably find ways of getting drugs or alcohol, mainly through criminal routes, and demonising them will take away any important interaction they may have with wider society.”

Her warning came as an alleged beggar failed to turn up at Huddersfield Magistrates’ court after being arrested under the three-strikes policy.

Sabrina Simpson, 30, was due at court yesterday charged with serial begging.